FlightGear Newsletter August 2014: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Expanded article and cleaned up grammar
(Other/ FG logo proposal by Cossack90)
(Expanded article and cleaned up grammar)
Line 18: Line 18:
</div>
</div>
==3.2 Released==
==3.2 Released==
The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce that the long awaited v3.2 release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator has been released on <!--Add date--> INSERT FINAL RELEASE DATE HERE. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include ...
The FlightGear development team is delighted to announce that the long awaited v3.2 release of FlightGear, the free, open-source flight simulator has been released on <!--Add date--> INSERT FINAL RELEASE DATE HERE. This new version contains many exciting new features, enhancements and bugfixes. Highlights in this release include:
 
* Optional cloud shadows if [[advanced weather]] and [[atmospheric light scattering]] are enabled


Founded in 1997, FlightGear is developed by a worldwide group of volunteers, brought together by a shared ambition to create the most realistic flight simulator possible that is free to use, modify and distribute. FlightGear is used all over the world by desktop flight simulator enthusiasts, for research in universities and for interactive exhibits in museums.  
Founded in 1997, FlightGear is developed by a worldwide group of volunteers, brought together by a shared ambition to create the most realistic flight simulator possible that is free to use, modify and distribute. FlightGear is used all over the world by desktop flight simulator enthusiasts, for research in universities and for interactive exhibits in museums.  
Line 52: Line 54:
==Scenery corner==
==Scenery corner==
===Yongphulla Domestic Airport - VQ10===
===Yongphulla Domestic Airport - VQ10===
High mountains, deep valleys, strong winds and sometimes the rain may appear as something like snow. You are at the bhutanese '''[[Yongphulla Airport|Yongphula Domestic Airport]]''' (VQ10) at a height of 2573 metres. After [[Paro Airport|Paro]], also this airport has been improved. Besides the Terminal and Apron, shared models and other little things have now been added. [[TerraSync]] has it all! Have a nice flight in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
High mountains, deep valleys, strong winds and sometimes the rain looks something like snow. You are at the Bhutanese '''[[Yongphulla Airport|Yongphula Domestic Airport]]''' (VQ10) at an altitude of 2573 metres. After [[Paro Airport|Paro]], this airport has been improved. Besides the Terminal and Apron, shared models and other little things have now been added. [[TerraSync]] has it all! Have a nice flight in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
<gallery mode=packed heights=240px>
<gallery mode=packed heights=240px>
VQ10 Yongphula Airport.jpg|Yonghula Airport
VQ10 Yongphula Airport.jpg|Yonghula Airport
Line 60: Line 62:
==In the Hangar==
==In the Hangar==
===Beechcraft B1900D template===
===Beechcraft B1900D template===
A new template for the [http://wiki.flightgear.org/Beechcraft_B1900D B1900D] is available in the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/paintkits.php Paintkits] section of the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ flightgear liveries database website]. The template comes in svg format (best used with [http://www.inkscape.org inkscape]) features:
A new template for the [[Beechcraft_B1900D|Beechcraft B1900D]] is available in the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/paintkits.php Paintkits] section of the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/ flightgear liveries database website]. The template comes in svg format (best used with [http://www.inkscape.org Inkscape]) and features:
* full rivets, panel lines and stencils details in vector format
* full rivets, panel lines and stencils details in vector format
* ambient occlusion layer
* ambient occlusion layer
Line 68: Line 70:
===Eurofighter EF2000===
===Eurofighter EF2000===
{{#ev:youtube|_MaxljfrPBY||right|A brief in-cockpit demo of the EF2000's FCS}}
{{#ev:youtube|_MaxljfrPBY||right|A brief in-cockpit demo of the EF2000's FCS}}
A big milestone has been achieved in the ongoing development of the EF2000, which I (Algernon) have been project managing since branching from the Eurofighter Typhoon project some years back: finally, after a lot of fiddling, a completely computerised Flight Control System which can simulate its real-life counterpart, with surface control fully autonomous and with an autopilot-based processor interpreting pilot input and commanding the system to fly its maximum performance envelope to obey, but not exceed safety or design limits. While a lot of these features are not yet implemented, we have established a working practice for the core system which allows extra elements to be introduced simply and effectively. I have heard it said that FG is incapable of simulating such systems, and I hope here we have proved otherwise, and, a bit self-indulgently, that maybe this will be the first truly fly-by-wire aircraft in FlightGear! (I am of course prepared to stand corrected there...)
A big milestone has been achieved in the ongoing development of the EF2000, which I (Algernon) has been managing since its branching from the main Eurofighter Typhoon project some years back: finally, after a lot of fiddling, a completely computerised Flight Control System (FCS) has been implemented which can simulate its real-life counterpart, with fully autonomous surface control and with an autopilot-based processor interpreting pilot input and commanding the system to fly its maximum performance envelope to obey, but not exceed, safety or design limits. While a lot of these features are not yet implemented, we have established a working practice for the core system which allows extra elements to be introduced simply and effectively. I have heard it said that FG is incapable of simulating such systems, and I hope here we have proved otherwise, and, a bit self-indulgently, that maybe this will be the first truly fly-by-wire aircraft in FlightGear! (I am of course prepared to stand corrected there...)


Particular thanks for this objective go to StuartC, who designed the basis of the FDM, and Tomaskom, whose help in fields where I am not much of a master (like mathematics) has been invaluable. Many updates are planned for the EF2000, including a whole new custom paintjob with many liveries, and it is hoped a final, V2.0 release may be available in the later part of the year. You can also get hold of a pre-release copy if you visit the [http://fguk.eu/index.php/forum/index FGUK Forum] and register your interest, for testing purposes - your feedback will be appreciated. Pre-releases will probably not be available until at least September 2014.
Particular thanks for this objective go to StuartC, who designed the basis of the FDM, and Tomaskom, whose help in fields where I am not much of a master (like mathematics) has been invaluable. Many updates are planned for the EF2000, including a whole new custom paintjob with many liveries, and it is hoped a final, V2.0 release may be available in the later part of the year. You can also get hold of a pre-release copy if you visit the [http://fguk.eu/index.php/forum/index FGUK Forum] and register your interest, for testing purposes - your feedback will be appreciated. Pre-releases will probably not be available until at least September 2014.


Other points being addressed in the V2.0 release are:
Other points being addressed in the V2.0 release of the Eurofighter Typhoon 2000 are:


* New modular Nasal approach and many new scripts. Upgraded to Eno audio management.
* New modular Nasal approach and many new scripts. Upgraded to Eno audio management.
Line 83: Line 85:
== Other ==
== Other ==
=== FG logo proposal by Cossack90 ===
=== FG logo proposal by Cossack90 ===
Hereby I cossack90 proudly present you a FlightGear logo proposal. I hope you like it.
Cossack90 proudly presents a FlightGear logo proposal. I hope you like it.
[[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|thumb|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]]
[[File:Logo proposal by Cossack90.png|thumb|FG logo proposal by Cossack90 aka UR-AOK]]
45

edits

Navigation menu